Sport NHL Expansion Mock Draft: Choosing Golden Knights first roster

01:40 20 june 2017

01:40 20 june 2017 Source:
sportingnews.com

Vegas GM calls out teams afraid of expansion draft: ‘Negotiate your way out of this’

Vegas GM George McPhee doesn't feel pity for the teams worried their players will be scooped up in the NHL expansion draft.The Golden Knights are allowed to choose a total of 30 players in Wednesday's draft, which leaves the other 30 NHL teams nervous for their available players.

Carl Hagelin, Antti Raanta, Tomas Plekanec on our projected Vegas Golden Knights roster . NHL . A few caveats: In the real expansion draft , the Knights likely won't be taking the best possible players, but rather will optimize the entire process in terms of acquiring assets.

Since being named general manager of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights last July, George McPhee has prepared non-stop for the moment he can actually fill out his roster with bona fide NHL players and prospects.

That day finally arrives Wednesday when the Golden Knights announce their selections for the NHL Expansion Draft.

While there have been a myriad of mock drafts done by every imaginable source, including, behind closed doors, by McPhee and his staff the past several months, the final mock-ups take on more relevance now that all 30 teams submitted their respective protected lists this past Sunday.

NHL sets salary cap for 2017-18 season at &dollar;75 million

The NHL and NHLPA announced the team payroll range on Sunday.The league and union announced Sunday the team payroll range for the upcoming season has an upper limit of &dollar;75 million with a lower limit of &dollar;55.4 million, and an adjusted midpoint of &dollar;65.2 million.

Vegas must select a minimum of 14 forwards, nine defensemen, and three goalies, with the remaining four players of any position. Only ten of the players can be restricted or unrestricted free agents; and the total of the 30 contracts must add up to at least $43.8 million, which is the mandated 60 percent of last year's $73 million salary cap.

So, seeking the right mix of proven veterans and younger prospects and projects, here is the final Sporting New smock expansion draft, with players listed alphabetically, by position, with their 2016-17 team and current salary cap hit.

Goalies (4)

Philipp Grubauer (Washington Capitals-RFA): The restricted free agent is ready to step out from Braden Holtby's shadow and will get the chance to compete for the No. 1 role in Vegas. McPhee drafted him as GM of the Capitals, and will do so again for Vegas in the expansion draft. Other Caps considered: D Nate Schmidt and C Jay Beagle.

NHL rolls out Adidas jerseys for Vegas Golden Knights, 30 other teams

The NHL and new jersey manufacturer Adidas pulled back the curtain Tuesday on the Golden Knights sweaters. A few other teams got tweaks too.On the eve of a much-anticipated roster reveal, the NHL and its new jersey manufacturer Adidas pulled back the curtain Tuesday on the new Golden Knights' home and away sweaters. The league's other 30 franchises also went through a jersey redesign, tweaked to varying degrees.

That’s the kind of guy the Vegas Golden Knights need to build around for the future, and that’s who Knights On Ice selects with the No. 6 pick in our NHL Mock Draft at SB Nation. The Golden Knights are going to be drowning in draft hulabaloo next week. Of course, with the expansion draft

Join the Vegas Hockey Knight team! A lot has changed since my first mock draft I did on this site just a few months ago. Vegas Hockey Knight 9w agoVegas Golden Knights : Mock Expansion Draft 1 .0.

Calvin Pickard (Colorado Avalanche-$1 million): Had some very good moments filling in for the injured Semyon Varlamov much of last season with the woeful Avalanche, and was solid in backstopping Canada to a silver medal at the World Championships. Like Grubauer, Pickard is only 25-years-old and on the upswing. Other Avs considered: none really, maybe C Mikhail Grigorenko.

Antti Raanta (New York Rangers-$1 million): Coming off the best season of his career, picking up the pieces when Henrik Lundqvist struggled on Broadway, the 28-year-old Raanta can either be the No. 1 in Vegas, a more than capable insurance policy as the No. 2, or an intriguing trade chip who is in his final season before hitting unrestricted free agency. Other Rangers considered: C Oscar Lindberg, LW Michael Grabner, and RW Jesper Fast.

Malcolm Subban (Boston Bruins-RFA): It is important for the Golden Knights to select a younger goalie they can groom for the future, and Subban, younger brother of you know who, fits the bill. The 2012 Bruins first-rounder has only two NHL appearances under his belt, but played reasonably well over four seasons in the minor leagues. Give him 60 starts in the AHL this season, then decide what you've got. Other Bruins considered: D Colin Miller.

Minnesota Wild's Erik Haula headed to Las Vegas Golden Knights

Minnesota's Erik Haula joining Vegas Golden Knights in deal made by Wild to avoid losing other key players.According to Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Wild, who made Dumba, Scandella and Staal available for Wednesday's expansion draft, agreed to losing Haula and Tuch instead in a deal with Vegas.

The NHL officially released the protection lists for the upcoming expansion draft Sunday morning. Who will Vegas get to choose from to build their first roster ? Let the mock drafting begin. Buffalo: Slim pickings for the Golden Knights off of the Sabres' roster , but Zach Bogosian's exposure is a

Defensemen (10)

Brenden Dillon (San Jose Sharks-$3.27 million): The hulking 26-year-old is already six seasons into his NHL career after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Stars. Solid in his own end, good size, and with this group would be one the top three lefties on the blue line. Other Sharks considered: G Aaron Dell and D David Schlemko.

Jake Dotchin (Tampa Bay Lightning-RFA): After spending two-plus seasons in the minors, the 23-year-old Dotchin was pressed into service with the Lightning when injuries beat up their back end, and he performed well, totaling 11 assists and 35 penalty minutes in 35 games. Added bonus: he is right-handed. Give the kid a look. Other Lightning considered: D Andrej Sustr and C Cedric Paquette.

Matt Dumba (Minnesota Wild-$2.55 million): He was the seventh overall selection by the Wild in the 2012 entry draft and should be at the top of Vegas' expansion draft selections on Wednesday. Perhaps he has yet to live up to the hype, but Dumba is trending in the right direction (11 goals, 23 assists, 34 points a year ago), is right-handed, and only 22-years-old. Fellow d-man Marco Scandella (27) was an option here, too, from Minnesota, but Dumba can't be passed up.

Vegas' expansion pick from the Kings seemed to like his new jersey.At Wednesday's NHL Awards show in Las Vegas, Brayden McNabb became the first player in the expansion franchise's history to pull one of those gray home sweaters over his head. The Knights poached the 26-year-old defenseman from Los Angeles as one of their 30 expansion picks.

I ’ve included explanations for 30 picks with a final expansion roster . It’s been quite awhile since there has been an NHL expansion , 17 years to be exact. Puck Prose 17w agoVegas Golden Knights Mock Expansion Draft Roundtable.

That’s the kind of guy the Vegas Golden Knights need to build around for the future, and that’s who Knights On Ice selects with the No. 6 pick in our NHL Mock Draft at SB Nation. The Golden Knights are going to be drowning in draft hulabaloo next week. Of course, with the expansion draft

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Ben Lovejoy (New Jersey Devils-$2.67 million): Lovejoy is solid defensively, right-handed, a former Stanley Cup champion, and absolutely terrific in the locker room. Put a letter on his jersey and let him go to work. Other Devils considered: LW Michael Cammalleri and D Jon Merrill.

Alexey Marchenko (Toronto Maple Leafs-$1.45 million): Marchenko, the 25-year-old Russian, is still feeling his way after splitting last season between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs. He can compete for a spot on the right side. Other Maple Leafs considered: D Martin Marincin.

Brayden McNabb (Los Angeles Kings-$1.7 million): The 6-foot-5 McNabb is a bruising presence on the back end, though one who suffered a fractured collarbone last season. Other Kings considered: RW Dustin Brown, C Nick Shore and C Trevor Lewis.

Marc Methot (Ottawa Senators-$4.9 million): Methot will slot in on the Golden Knights' top defensive pairing and also be one of the leaders of this team. A solid get in the expansion draft. Other Senators considered: RW Bobby Ryan.

MORE:Vegas GM calls out teams afraid of expansion draft

Griffin Reinhart (Edmonton Oilers-RFA): It has been a rough go for Reinhart since being selected by the Islanders fourth overall in 2012. He only has 37 games of NHL experience, but is still only 23-years-old. Worth taking a shot on him, whether he is an NHLer this season or not. Other Oilers considered: G Laurent Brossoit and RW Iiro Pakarinen.

Read the Raiders' good-luck note to the Golden Knights before the NHL Expansion Draft

The Raiders are a few years from their move to Las Vegas, but they wished the Golden Knights good luck before the NHL Expansion Draft.The Knights heard from future Las Vegas neighbors, the Raiders of the NFL, and passed along the handwritten note via the new NHL team's Twitter account:

Vegas Golden Knights general manager George McPhee had difficulty containing his excitement in anticipation of the NHL 's expansion draft list being released. "The issue for us isn't going to be, 'Can we fill out the roster ?'" McPhee told reporters after the list was released.

Vegas Golden Knights general manager George McPhee had difficulty containing his excitement in anticipation of the NHL 's expansion draft list being released. "The issue for us isn't going to be, 'Can we fill out the roster ?'" McPhee told reporters after the list was released.

Ryan Sproul (Detroit Red Wings-$625,000): An offensive-minded defenseman, Sproul, like Reinhart, is worth taking a shot on and further developing. A former second-round pick who has produced good numbers in the minors, Sproul did play in 27 games with the Red Wings last season, picking up seven points (1-6-7) before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He may not be ready to start the upcoming season, but still worth the pick. Other Red Wings considered: G Petr Mrazek, D Jonathan Ericsson and D Xavier Oullet.

Sami Vatanen (Anaheim Ducks-$4.875 million): There are rumors that the Ducks and Golden Knights have a deal in place where Vegas will not select either of Anaheim's unprotected stud d-men, Vatanen and Josh Manson, but for this exercise unannounced trades do not factor in. So Vatanen slides in next to Methot on the top defense pairing in Vegas.

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Forwards (16)

Josh Anderson (Columbus Blue Jackets-RFA): Like Vatanen, it seems Anderson may stay put in Columbus due to a pre-arranged deal, but his pick is a no-brainer in this exercise. The 23-year-old scored 17 goals last season with Columbus, and would be a top-six right wing in Vegas. Other Blue Jackets considered: G Joonas Korpisalo, G Anton Forsberg and C William Karlsson.

Troy Brouwer (Calgary Flames-$4.5 million): Not coming off a real good season, but McPhee knows Brouwer from Washington. High-character, leadership skills, and a possible trade candidate to a contender. Other Flames considered: C Freddie Hamilton.

NHL Draft order 2017: Complete list of picks for Rounds 1-2

Follow along with the 2017 NHL Draft picks.The 2017 NHL Entry Draft opens the offseason in earnest when the first round begins at 7 p.m. ET on Friday. Below is the full draft order for Rounds 1 and 2, featuring pick number, team, player and position, including real-time updates as teams make their selections from Chicago.

The first step in the 2017 NHL expansion draft process went down Sunday with the reveal of the protection lists for all 30 teams. It’s now just a few days until the Vegas Golden Knights announce their selections You can also build a roster yourself with our fancy expansion mock draft tool.

Another strange adjustment for the Stars, and the NHL in general, will be the Golden Knights ’ new roster . With the expansion draft and free agency on the horizon, a number of players will find themselves calling Sin City home.

William Carrier (Buffalo Sabres-$689,000): A project up front for the Golden Knights. Five goals and eight points in 41 games with the Sabres in his rookie season a year ago, Carrier is also a former second-round pick of the St. Louis Blues. Other Sabres considered: G Linus Ullmark and D Josh Gorges.

We get to pick #OneBuffalo. But which one? #VegasDraftpic.twitter.com/nF8IJpEBuH

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 18, 2017

Michael Chaput (Vancouver Canucks-RFA): Not a lot of point production yet at the NHL level for the 25-year-old Chaput (17 points in 126 games), but he was a solid contributor for the Calder Cup champions in Lake Erie in 2015-16. Worth a shot. Other Canucks considered: C Brandon Gaunce and D Luca Sbisa.

Marko Dano (Winnipeg Jets-$850,000): If selected, the Golden Knights would be Dano's fourth NHL team already at the age of 22. He has upper-end offensive skill and needs an opportunity to develop. Vegas seems like a good spot to do that. Other Jets considered: D Toby Enstrom and D Ben Chiarot.

Cody Eakin (Dallas Stars-$3.85 million): Eakin is coming off a down year (3-9-12 in 60 games), but at age 26 can easily revert to being a solid two-way performer, centering the second or third line in Vegas. Other Stars considered: RW Adam Cracknell.

Charles Hudon (Montreal Canadiens-$650,000): He's not a big guy, but Hudon has above-average offensive skills. Just 22-years-old, he had 28 goals two years ago in the AHL and 27--in only 56 games--last season. Hudon played in three games with the Canadiens and picked up a pair of assists. Other Canadiens considered: C Torrey Mitchell and D Alexei Emelin.

MORE: Coyotes part ways with Shane Doan after 21 seasons

Marcus Kruger (Chicago Blackhawks-$3.083 million): Reports are that Chicago and Vegas have a deal in place for Kruger and Trevor van Riemsdyk to both end up with the Golden Knights. Whether true or not, Kruger would be a solid pick to fill a top-nine role in Vegas. Other Blackhawks considered: van Riemsdyk.

The NHL's newest franchise added to its developing roster with the Nos. 6, 13 and 15 overall in Friday's entry draft.The first-ever draft pick of the Golden Knights, Glass was the first of three first-round selections for the NHL's newest franchise on Friday at the United Center.

Jonathan Marchessault (Florida Panthers-RFA): A no-brainer. Marchessault led the Panthers with 30 goals last season and has 70 points in 124 career NHL games. Yes, he is undersized, but there's no way a team likely to be starving for offense can pass him up. Other Panthers considered: none.

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Jamie McGinn (Arizona Coyotes-$3.33 million): Here's banking that McGinn has a bounce-back season, and, if he does, becomes a trade target down the road for contenders. Only two years ago he scored 22 goals. Other Coyotes considered: C Alex Burmistrov.

James Neal (Nashville Predators-$5 million): There are other younger, intriguing options available off the Nashville roster, but Neal is a bona fide goal scorer, and an expansion team needs at least a couple of those on its roster. He is a nine-time 20-goal scorer, and had 23 a year ago. Contenders will be sniffing around to pick him up late in the season as a rental option heading into unrestricted free agency. Other Predators considered: C Colton Sissons, LW Pontus Aberg, C Colin Wilson and C Craig Smith.

Brock Nelson (New York Islanders-$2.5 million): The Islanders protected five defensemen, and reportedly are going to surrender their first-round pick so that Vegas keeps its mitts off Nelson and the other available New York forwards. If true, too bad, because Nelson has scored 20 or more goals in three straight seasons and had a career-high 45 points a year ago. Other Islanders considered: LW Josh Bailey, C Casey Cizikas, C Ryan Strome and D Calvin de Haan.

David Perron (St. Louis Blues-$3.75 million): Another scoring veteran scoring threat entering the final year of his contract. Perron's 46 points last year were his most since the 2013-14 season (28-29-57). Other Blues considered: none.

Michael Raffl (Philadelphia Flyers-$2.35 million): Raffl scored 21 goals three seasons ago, but was hurt much of last season. Can be a good, hard-working top-nine forward. Other Flyers considered: G Michal Neuvirth and RW Matt Read.

Bryan Rust (Pittsburgh Penguins-$640,000): The 25 year-old Rust is a hard-working two-time Stanley Cup winner with a penchant for scoring the big goal. In 46 career playoff games he has 13 goals. He also scored 15 goals in 58 games during the 2016-17 regular season. There are plenty of good options to choose from here, but Rust is the pick, and an affordable one, too. Other Penguins considered: G Marc-Andre Fleury, LW Carl Hagelin and D Ian Cole.

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Lee Stempniak (Carolina Hurricanes-$2.5 million): Pack your bags again Lee! Sitting on 200 career goals, Stempniak has already played for ten teams, producing consistently along the way. And if he produces in Vegas, there's a good chance he is someone's trade deadline pick up.....again. Other 'Canes considered: G Cam Ward, G Eddie Lack and LW Joakim Nordstrom.

We've been listening to your thoughts on the protected lists. These are George McPhee's thoughts

More: https://t.co/uTGJND6sdv#VegasDraftpic.twitter.com/q00pMZp024

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) June 18, 2017

NHL Draft 2017: Vegas Golden Knights add to developing roster with 3 first-rounders .
The NHL's newest franchise added to its developing roster with the Nos. 6, 13 and 15 overall in Friday's entry draft.The first-ever draft pick of the Golden Knights, Glass was the first of three first-round selections for the NHL's newest franchise on Friday at the United Center.

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That’s the kind of guy the Vegas Golden Knights need to build around for the future, and that’s who Knights On Ice selects with the No. 6 pick in our NHL Mock Draft at SB Nation. The Golden Knights are going to be drowning in draft hulabaloo next week. Of course, with the expansion draft

The NHL officially released the protection lists for the upcoming expansion draft Sunday morning. Who will Vegas get to choose from to build their first roster ? Let the mock drafting begin. Buffalo: Slim pickings for the Golden Knights off of the Sabres' roster , but Zach Bogosian's exposure is a

I ’ve included explanations for 30 picks with a final expansion roster . It’s been quite awhile since there has been an NHL expansion , 17 years to be exact. Puck Prose 17w agoVegas Golden Knights Mock Expansion Draft Roundtable.

That’s the kind of guy the Vegas Golden Knights need to build around for the future, and that’s who Knights On Ice selects with the No. 6 pick in our NHL Mock Draft at SB Nation. The Golden Knights are going to be drowning in draft hulabaloo next week. Of course, with the expansion draft

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